CONSUMER ALERT: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ONLINE FRAUD Many financial institutions and other companies are increasingly using the Internet to provide convenient services to their customers. As a result, these organizations have become targets of a growing form of online fraud called “phishing.” Thieves use emails, pop-up windows, or websites to “lure” users into providing their personal and account information. These emails and websites are designed to imitate genuine websites and legitimate emails. However, once users have entered their personal information, this information is used for the purposes of identity theft or other forms of fraud. HOW TO IDENTIFY ONLINE FRAUD Information thieves have become adept at creating emails that look legitimate. These emails and websites may contain logos and graphics of real organizations. Below are some of the common characteristics of fraudulent emails: -- They request personal, financial, or account information. -- They sound very urgent. According to the emails, there will be negative consequences if users fail to provide, update, or confirm personal or account information. -- They provide links so that users may update their information quickly and easily. These links direct the user to a “spoofed” or imitated website. -- They often have incorrect grammar and misspelled words. HOW WE PROTECT YOU We will never request your personal or account information through email. We do not share your personal information with third-parties for the purpose of telemarketing or direct-mail marketing. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ONLINE FRAUD Never enter your account information into a pop-up window or email. Be suspicious of any emails that ask for personal information, passwords, or financial information. We will not request sensitive information from you through email or pop-up windows. Do not use the links provided in any email to update or view your account information for any company or financial institution. These links may either direct you to a fraudulent website or download virus or spyware programs onto your computer. Once installed, spyware may collect and transmit information from your computer. Use only secure websites when entering personal or account information, including credit card numbers. Secure websites generally start with https:// instead of http://. Secure websites also display a padlock icon at the bottom of the screen. You may click on that icon to display the website’s security certificate. Closely monitor your accounts. Review financial statements and credit card statements for regularly. If there is suspicious activity, report it immediately. Change your passwords often for online accounts. Avoid passwords that contain sensitive personal information, such as your name, birthdate, and zip code. Do not use public computers for viewing financial/account information. Update your software. Keep antivirus, browser, and operating system software updates/patches current for any computer that you use for connecting to the Internet. Installing security software, such as spam filters and firewalls, also provides extra protection. IF YOU HAVE DISCLOSED PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Contact your financial institution immediately. Closely monitor your accounts and consider closing them to open new ones. Place a “fraud alert” on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus-Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Regularly review your credit card statements, bank statements, and credit report for unauthorized transactions. If there is suspicious activity, report the activity immediately. If the information disclosed involves your credit card, notify your card issuer and cancel your card.